Joe Milton courtesy of dallascowboys.com
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Joe Milton had another good day in his quest to become the Dallas Cowboys’ backup quarterback. Coach Brian Schottenheimer says there’s still work to be done.
The third-year player — who is battling Sam Howell for the No. 2 role behind Dak Prescott — threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score in a second straight impressive preseason effort, sparking the Cowboys to a 34-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night.
“This is long from over,” Schottenheimer said about the backup quarterback competition. “We’re going back to Frisco, thankfully, get a chance to be home and put some more training camp days in. You’ve got to give Joe his credit, he’s played really well the past two games, but we have a lot of confidence in Sam as well.”
Milton finished 9-of-13 passing for 176 yards, connecting on a 53-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Mingo and a 70-yard strike to Camden Brown that set up Milton’s 1-yard touchdown run a play later. The play to Mingo was perfectly executed, with the receiver making a double move before Milton hit him in stride down the left sideline.
“This game is about to being able to control the RPMs of the football and throw it with different speeds and touches,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s done that at a very high level.”
Dallas built a 24-6 lead by halftime. Jaydon Blue ran for 75 yards on 15 carries.
The 26-year-old Milton was a sixth-round pick by New England in 2024. He played in four regular-season games with Dallas last season, throwing for 183 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
Howell completed 7 of 10 passes for 65 yards in the second half, but also threw an interception in the end zone. He started all 17 games with Washington in 2023 and was with Philadelphia last season but didn’t appear in any regular-season games.
Both teams rested most of their starters.
Arizona’s Gardner Minshew completed 19 of 23 passes for 177 yards, playing the entire first half and the first series of the second half. He’s expected to be Jacoby Brissett’s backup this season.
Dallas defense shines early
Cowboys cornerback Shavon Revel picked off Minshew’s pass midway through the first quarter after receiver Simi Fehoko slipped on the route. Revel returned the ball 22 yards to the Arizona 12.
Three plays later, Milton escaped from the pocket, rolled out to his left and hit Malik Davis for an 8-yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 lead.
Revel is in his second season after being drafted by the Cowboys in the third round out of East Carolina in 2025. He played in seven games last year, starting five.
Cowboys rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham also had an early tackle for loss.
Penalty problems for Cardinals
The Cardinals had two touchdowns called back on the same drive when receiver Rivaldo Fairweather was flagged for a pair of penalties. Fairweather was called for offensive holding on the first play and offensive pass interference on the second.
Arizona had a to settle for a 38-yard field goal from Chad Ryland, which cut the deficit to 14-3.
Later in the first half, the Cardinals were called for a false start at the Dallas 1-yard line. Minshew was sacked on the next play and Ryland kicked a 31-yard field goal.
“It was the culmination of our week — we had a sloppy week of practice,” coach Mike LaFleur said. “I don’t think we’ve practiced really well over the last week since Vegas. There have been individuals who have practiced well, there’s been times where we’ve done good things, but overall it wasn’t good enough.
“This — tonight — was a summary of that week in general.”
Injuries
Cardinals safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ribs) left late in the first quarter after delivering a big hit on Cowboys tight end Zack Kuntz. Taylor-Demerson was called for a personal foul on the play. … Cowboys safety Julius Wood left in the third quarter with a concussion.
Up next
Cowboys: Host New Orleans on Friday night.
